Sir Jeffrey Donaldson trial: Video of alleged victim's police interview played
En resumen
- A video of a police interview with Complainant B, one of two alleged victims, was played at Newry Crown Court in the trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
- The woman, who accuses Donaldson of rape and indecent assault between 1985 and 1991, described alleged incidents of sexual abuse.
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Por qué importa
The jury in the trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, a former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, has been shown a video of a police interview with one of two women accusing him of sexual abuse. The alleged offences occurred between 1985 and 1991.
The jury in the Sir Jeffrey Donaldson trial has been played a video recording of the police interview with a woman he allegedly raped and indecently assaulted when she was a child.
The woman, known as Complainant B, is the older of two alleged victims who have accused the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader of sexual abuse.
She spoke to police weeks before he was arrested along with his wife in March 2024.
Ten of the 18 sex abuse charges he denies relate to Complainant B, with the offences allegedly committed between 1985 and 1991.
Warning: This report contains details that some readers may find distressing
Complainant B's ABE (Achieving Best Evidence) interview, which lasted 75 minutes was played at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday morning.
At points in the interview, she was tearful and her words were occasionally inaudible.
She alleged Sir Jeffrey used to put his hands down her underwear "quite a lot".
Recalling the alleged rape incident, when she was of primary school age, she claimed he put his feet between her feet and then pulled her legs apart.
His breathing was heavy and he was panting, she said.
She then added she felt something "different" and "something I'd never felt before."
Complainant B stated: "I hated it yet I thought if I pretend to be asleep he'll just stop and lose interest."
She said the following day she felt "really sick" and "anxious".
Complainant B also said she remembered another incident in which Sir Jeffrey allegedly lifted up her top and "played" with her breasts.
She claimed to detectives that Lady Eleanor Donaldson had witnessed it and walked away.
Preguntas abiertas
- What will be the verdict of the jury?
- Will Lady Eleanor Donaldson testify?
- What are the details of the second complainant's allegations?
- What is the current status of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's political career?
